Uniqueness and extinction of weighted Markov branching processes (Q2433248)

The weighted Markov branching processes were introduced by \textit{R.-R. Chen} [J. Appl.\ Probab. 34, No. 1, 14--23 (1997; Zbl 0874.60078)] as denumerable continuous-time Markov chains with a special \(q\)-matrix. First, the present authors generalize to more general cases the results obtained in a special case by \textit{A. Y. Chen} [J.\ Math. Anal. Appl. 274, No.~2, 482--494 (2002; Zbl 1010.60076)]. Then they establish new results concerning regularity and uniqueness criteria, hitting times, mean extinction time and conditional mean extinction time, explosion behaviour and mean explosion time, and mean global holding time. Finally, several examples illustrate the results obtained.